Psalms 31

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 31

1¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

2Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.

3For thou [art] my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.

4Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou [art] my strength.

5Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

6I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.

7I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;

8And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.

9¶ Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, [yea], my soul and my belly.

10For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

11I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.

12I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.

13For I have heard the slander of many: fear [was] on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

14But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou [art] my God.

15My times [are] in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

16Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.

17Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, [and] let them be silent in the grave.

18Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

19¶ [Oh] how great [is] thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; [which] thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

20Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

21Blessed [be] the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.

22For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.

23O love the LORD, all ye his saints: [for] the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

24Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

David expresses profound trust in the LORD for deliverance from his many troubles, committing his spirit into God's hand. He describes his deep suffering, including physical decay, social isolation, and plots against his life, yet reaffirms his unwavering faith. The psalm concludes with praise for God's abundant goodness towards the faithful and an exhortation for all to love and hope in the LORD, who preserves His saints.

Medium Summary

Psalm 31 opens with David's earnest plea for divine deliverance, declaring his trust in the LORD as his rock and fortress, and committing his spirit into God's hand. He expresses his hatred for idolatry and rejoices in God's past mercies, which have kept him from his enemies. The psalmist then vividly describes his current state of severe distress, marked by physical and emotional decay, social reproach, and fear from those who plot against his life. Despite this overwhelming affliction, David firmly reiterates his trust in God, acknowledging that his "times are in thy hand." He prays for God's favor and for the silencing of his wicked persecutors and lying lips. The psalm culminates in a declaration of God's great goodness reserved for those who fear and trust Him, providing hidden protection from human pride and strife. David praises God for His marvelous kindness and encourages all who hope in the LORD to be courageous, for God preserves the faithful.

Long Summary

Psalm 31 begins with David's fervent supplication for deliverance, establishing his absolute trust in the LORD as his refuge and strong rock. He implores God to act swiftly, guide him, and rescue him from hidden snares, affirming God as his strength. A pivotal declaration is made as David commits his spirit into the hand of the "LORD God of truth," expressing his disdain for those who pursue "lying vanities." He then recounts God's past faithfulness in delivering him from adversaries, setting his feet in a "large room." The psalm transitions to a poignant description of David's immense suffering, detailing physical wasting from grief, consumed strength due to perceived iniquity, and bones decaying. He laments being a reproach to enemies and neighbors, forgotten like a dead man, and likened to a broken vessel. David reveals the pervasive fear he experiences from slander and the conspiracies of those who seek his life. Amidst this profound distress, he powerfully reaffirms his trust in the LORD, declaring Him his God and acknowledging divine sovereignty over his "times." He earnestly prays for salvation from his persecutors and for God's face to shine upon him. David further petitions for his own vindication and for the shame and silence of the wicked, particularly those who speak proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. The psalm then shifts to an exultant praise of God's abundant goodness, which is "laid up" and "wrought" for those who fear and trust Him, providing secret protection from human arrogance and contentious tongues. David blesses the LORD for demonstrating marvelous kindness in a "strong city," recalling a moment of doubt where he felt "cut off" but was heard by God. The psalm concludes with a universal exhortation for all God's saints to love the LORD, emphasizing His preservation of the faithful and His just recompense for the proud. Finally, it encourages those who hope in the LORD to be of good courage, promising that God will strengthen their hearts.

Core Concepts

  • Divine Trust and RefugeDavid repeatedly expresses his unwavering trust in the LORD, seeking Him as his "strong rock," "fortress," and "house of defence" in times of extreme distress and danger.
  • Commitment of SpiritA central theme is David's profound act of committing his spirit into God's hand, signifying absolute surrender and reliance on God's truth and redemption.
  • Profound SufferingThe psalmist vividly describes his deep physical and emotional anguish, including grief, physical decay, social isolation, and the fear of plots against his life.
  • Sovereignty over 'Times'David acknowledges that his "times are in thy hand," illustrating a belief in God's ultimate control over his life's circumstances, even amidst persecution.
  • Justice for the WickedThe psalm includes fervent prayers for the wicked and lying lips to be put to shame and silenced, reflecting a desire for divine justice against those who persecute the righteous.
  • God's Goodness and ProtectionDavid praises God for His "great goodness" reserved for the faithful, who are hidden in God's presence from human pride and the "strife of tongues."
  • Exhortation to HopeThe psalm concludes with an encouragement for all who love and hope in the LORD to be courageous, assuring them that God preserves the faithful and strengthens their hearts.